How Many Companies Are Liquidated in Moldova
Out of 280,000+ companies in the state register, about 128,000 are liquidated — exactly 45.8%. Nearly half of Moldovan companies are no longer operating.
The number is high, but there are explanations:
- Many companies opened in the 1990s didn't survive the economic transition
- "One-day companies" (registered for a single transaction) liquidate fast
- After the 2015-2018 tax reforms, many inactive companies were removed automatically
- Economic crises (2009, 2014-2015, COVID-19) wiped out thousands of businesses
For you as a commercial partner or investor, this matters: don't just check whether a company exists, check whether it's active.
What "Liquidated" Means — and the Difference from Other Statuses
The state register has several statuses, and they are not the same thing:
1. Active
The company operates normally, files reports, pays taxes — all good. It can sign contracts and issue invoices.
2. Suspended
The company has temporarily suspended activity. Not liquidated, just "on pause". Suspension can be voluntary (shareholders decide not to operate for a while) or forced (by authorities — non-payment of taxes, missing reports).
Caution: A suspended company cannot sign contracts in the normal course. If one offers you something, that's a red flag.
3. In Liquidation
The company has decided to close and is going through the liquidation procedure. It takes 2-6 months (voluntary) or longer (judicial, in case of insolvency). During the process, the company:
- Cannot sign new contracts
- Liquidates assets and pays debts
- Closes bank accounts
- Files final tax declarations
After completion, the company moves to "liquidated" status.
4. Liquidated
The process is complete. The company no longer exists as an active entity, but the record stays in the register for historical reasons. You can't sign anything with it.
5. Deleted (radiata)
The company has been fully removed from the register. This typically happens when a liquidated company is cleared and the historical record is no longer needed. In practice, "liquidated" and "deleted" are nearly identical — the company doesn't operate.
6. In Insolvency
The company cannot pay its debts and is in judicial insolvency (bankruptcy). Control passes to the court-appointed trustee. The most critical phase for existing creditors.
How to Check a Company's Status
Method 1: Datero.md (fast and free)
On Datero.md enter the IDNO or company name, and the status appears prominently on the page — active, suspended, in liquidation, liquidated, or deleted. It's the first thing you see.
Method 2: Official Register Extract
When you need formal confirmation (for court, bank, procurement), order an official extract via e-Extras ASP. Fee ~100-350 MDL.
Method 3: Servicii.fisc.md
The Tax Service portal with a 5-query-per-day limit. Shows only tax status (not full information).
Why Companies Get Liquidated
According to Datero.md data, the most common reasons for liquidation:
- Shareholder decision — the business isn't viable or shareholders want to close. ~50% of cases.
- Automatic removal for inactivity — the company hasn't filed reports for 3 consecutive years. Applied automatically.
- Insolvency — the company cannot pay its debts and goes through judicial proceedings.
- Merger or absorption — the company disappears as an entity, but activity continues in another one.
- Non-compliance with legal requirements — for example, not declaring UBO or missing updated CAEM codes.
Red Flags Before Signing
When analyzing a company for a potential deal, these elements indicate risk:
- The founder has many liquidated companies in their history. On Datero.md you see all the person's companies and their status. If 5 out of 6 are liquidated, think twice.
- The company has had declared tax debts in the past.
- Director changes in the last 6-12 months, especially multiple ones.
- Minimum share capital and persistent losses in financial reports.
- Historical suspensions or reactivations — status "zigzags" suggest fragile activity.
- Registered office shared with 50 other companies — possible shell companies.
See our complete verification guide for the detailed due diligence process.
What to Do If Your Partner Enters Liquidation
You discover a company you have an active contract with is entering liquidation? Immediate steps:
- Check the exact status. Is it "in liquidation" or already "liquidated"? These are different legal situations.
- Contact the liquidator. The person managing the procedure. Their details appear in Monitorul Oficial.
- Register your claim. If the company owes you money, you must file within the announced deadline (usually 30-60 days from the public notice).
- Consult a lawyer. Especially if the amount is large or you signed a long-term contract.
- Document everything. Invoices, contracts, correspondence — keep it all for the liquidation procedure.
In case of judicial insolvency, procedures are more complex and take longer — sometimes years.
What the Liquidated-Companies Ecosystem Looks Like in Moldova
Some observations from Datero.md data:
- Sectors with the highest liquidation rate: retail, construction, road transport, HoReCa. Over 55% of companies opened in these sectors are liquidated.
- Most "stable" sectors: professional services (legal, accounting), IT, medical. Liquidation rate under 30%.
- Peak periods for liquidations: 2008-2010 (financial crisis), 2014-2016 (banking crisis), 2020-2021 (COVID).
- Companies with more than 10 years of activity have a liquidation rate of only 15%. Longevity is a good indicator of stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a liquidated company be "reactivated"?
In most cases no. After liquidation completes, the IDNO disappears and the company cannot be brought back. In exceptional cases, a fraudulent liquidation can be reversed through court.
Do shareholders of a liquidated company answer for its debts?
In principle no, they only answer with the invested share capital (that's why it's called SRL — "limited liability"). But if fraud or fraudulent management is proven, they can be pursued personally.
Can I open a new company with the same name as a liquidated one?
Technically yes, once the name is released in the state register. In practice, many founders avoid this because of the negative association.
Is a liquidated company in an entrepreneur's CV "experience"?
Depends on context. One liquidated company after many years of operation is experience. A string of quickly liquidated companies raises flags.
How long before an inactive company is removed automatically?
After 3 consecutive years without filing reports. ASP initiates the procedure automatically.
Verify Any Company Now
On Datero.md enter the name or IDNO and instantly see the company's status plus its entire history — active, in liquidation, deleted, insolvent. You also see all the founders' other companies, to spot "ghost-entrepreneur" patterns.